Activity:  Investigate Advanced Tools of Geography

Pre-Activity:  Research Assignment on Remote Sensing

Do Now:  Prepare to share your choice and justification of remote sensing tool to study seals.

Aim:  To identify and understand remote sensing tools for the study of seals in our local environment.

Major Assignment:  Choose a remote sensing tool and learn it well.

Processes, Skills, Goals:  Research into advanced technology and its application to observe environmental conditions.

Content:  Remote Sensing Basics With Applications

Instructions:  Review what students found on their own on remote sensing, and ensure that appropriate fundamental topics are covered.  Discuss costs and benefits of remote sensing technology.  Discuss types of remote sensing.  Relate remote sensing to personal senses.  Add time component.  Marvel at the power of the human brain as a sensing technology.

Materials:  Notes on remote sensing technologies, tools, applications, costs, and benefits as they apply to seals.

Guiding Questions:  What did you find out about remote sensing?  How does it extend human capacities?  What does it sacrifice?  How much do they cost?  What do they mean for human skill and economic work?  Which is worse: human error or machine error?  What is the range of their abilities?  How do scientists develop KSAs for their appropriate use?  Do citizens need to know about them?  Why or why not?

Homework:  Watch the weather channel for how science integrates remote sensing with maps for daily use.